Part 28 (2/2)

”Let us strike across the prairie and to the north That is bound to bring us into Kansas sooner or later, and once there we'll be sure to locate the boory, but, as there was no food at hand, neither said a word on that point Getting a drink at a running brook close by, they started off, dick holding Nellie's hand, that she o down on the ankle that was still weak

Only a corner of the broad prairie passed, and then they turned again into a woods The sun was now up and it was groar else,” said dick ”We can't starve, and birds broiled over a fire will an Nellie

”I know; but, as I said, we can't starve, Nellie We'll have to take the risk Here goes!”

dick crept forward to where half a dozen birds sat on a nearby bush The birds were in a flutter over so two of the birds into range for a single shot, he blazed aith his pistol

The sharp crack of the firearh the woods when there came a roar froht down his game and more, he had struck a bear in the shoulder In another ry eyes and gleaht for the astonished boy

CHAPTER XXIII

THE SOLDIERS AGAIN

Never was dick Arbucklebear leaped out from behind the bushes and confronted himself and Nellie Winthrop

”Oh, dick! a bear!” screaht to ht down several birds with his pistol--indeed it was this very shot which had clipped the bear--and now the weapon was e had but one chareat beast cah not to stand still He retreated in double-quick order, and forced Nellie to accoh the woods with the bear in close pursuit

At the start of the chase girl and boy were at least forty feet in advance, but despite his bulk the bear an to lessen the distance between hi over his shoulder, dick saw hiue hanging out as though ready to lick hiasped Nellie Her heart was beating as though ready to break ”Oh, dick, what shall we do?”

”Here is a tree with low branches--jump for that--I will help you up!”

returned the youth, and in a few seconds they were in the tree, a scrub oak, with the big bear underneath, eying the theryto climb up,” caht Bruin had attacked the tree trunk and noas co into so would have done no good He was re-loading the pistol with all possible speed

Crack! dick had leaned down through the branches of the oak and taken aim at one of those bloodshot eyes There was a howl and a roar, and the bear fell doith a crash that shook the forest As to whether the bullet had found that eye or not dick could not tell, but certain it was that once on the ground the bear picked himself up in short order and started to run away

”You hit him!” cried Nellie ”Oh, dick, if only he don't co away--very far,” answered the boy The shot had encouraged him and his blood was up A rass and make off after the beast

”That bear will kill him sure!” she ejaculated ”Oh, dick, come back!

please do!” she screamed

A shot answered her, a shot which was quickly followed by another A ered into vieith dick at his heels

”I've nailed him!” shouted the boy, joyfully, and another shot did the work With a groan the bear keeled over, gave a jerk or two, and died